Us and Them is the name of a highly popular and mystic 70′s song by Pink Floyd. It speaks of people from two opposite world views who don’t have common ground and who oppose one another. That’s pretty much the same situation that we face as Christians in the world. It’s ‘us’ Christians and ‘them’ non-believers.
When confronted by Pilate, Jesus emphatically stated his kingdom was not of this world.
John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from here.
He also stated that those who believe in him are not of this world.
John 17:14,5 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
Christians are in this world but not ‘of’ this world. What on earth does that mean?
The Greek word ‘cosmos’ is used for the word, “world” in the above verses. Cosmos most often refers to the inhabited earth and the people who live on the earth, which functions apart from God. Satan is the ruler of this “cosmos” (John 12:31;16:11;1 John 5:19). The ‘evil one’ is the devil who is Satan. He is the ‘god of this age.’
2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of them who believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
The Christian world view is that the world is heavily influenced, even controlled, by Satan. Those who believe Jesus is Lord, believing God raised him from death, have a completely different world view than ‘normal’ people. My ‘normal people’ I mean people of natural human birth, not yet born from above by the gift of holy spirit, given by God when one does confess Jesus is their living Lord.
The secular world view is that there is no God, or if there is, God is not concerned with the affairs of men but has left it up to us to decide our own fate. In other words, the secular world view states that man is god of this world and it’s up to man to make the world the way it should be.
The biggest outside conflict the Christian experiences is this ‘us’ and ‘them’ dichotomy. We believe. We each have a relationship with God our father and with our Lord Jesus Christ. We believe things in this world should be aligned with God’s Word. We believe what the Bible says about spirituality, ethics, morality and every other subject under heaven.
Do you fee out of place in this world? Do you feel like you’re secluded, ignored, and that your views are discounted by the majority of people? Do you feel you’re being pressured to conform to laws passed by unrighteous government leaders and representatives?
When you talk with others, do you often feel like you’d like to say something to ‘set things straight’ but that you can’t because you’ll be frowned upon and categorized as something other than ‘normal.’
Well don’t feel bad, we’re all going through the same things. We do our best to live our lives the way God intends, and we try to work together to change the world to reflect more of God’s truth. But often our progress is slow and our advances are minor. Because of this many shy away from attempting to change anything because they feel their efforts are futile.
Nevertheless, here’s what God has to say about it.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Abraham looked for a city that was ‘not of this world’ as we do. The Christian’s calling is a heavenly one, not an earthly one. If you’ve read the book of Revelation, then you know things will not get better until our Lord returns, but worse. Still we do our very best to do works in this world that glorify God and our savior Jesus Christ. We still try our best to change things to conform to God’s Word. We do that first by renewing our minds to agree with God’s Word and will.
Us and them. Light and darkness. Truth and error. That’s the dichotomy we are involved in on a day-by-day basis. It won’t change until our Lord Jesus returns from heaven to establish his own kingdom in Jerusalem. At that time, massive change will occur and earth will once again reflect the glory of God and his Christ.
Until that time, I want to remind you that you are not alone.
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
If you feel like it’s ‘us and them,’ I encourage you to find comfort and solace in Jesus’ words, “lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” It may feel like you are alone but you are not. It may seem that you are ineffective or sidelined, but as long as you are making genuine consistent effort, just remember that it is God who gives the increase. Just do your part and God will do the rest.
Just be glad you’re the ‘us’ part of the equation! Praise God!